Communication Concepts

We’re excited to share an important milestone for Communication Concepts: We are now officially certified by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE)!

Our new SBE Certification Number is WMSB76637N022, awarded in accordance with the NCTRCA MBE/WBE/SBE certification eligibility program requirements.

What This Means

This certification represents more than a designation—it opens the door to expanded partnership opportunities throughout North Central Texas and beyond. As an SBE, Communication Concepts is now eligible for small‑business–focused procurement channels, subcontracting opportunities, and bid participation programs that many public sector agencies, prime contractors, and large‑scale private organizations actively support.

For our clients and GC partners, this means:

New ways to collaborate with a certified small‑business subcontractor
Additional value on projects with SBE participation goals
A strengthened collaboration with a proven, qualified systems integrator that meets and maintains strict certification standards

Let’s Connect!

We’d love to explore how this certification can enhance our work together—whether on current initiatives or upcoming bids. Our Estimating Team is ready to support your next project and discuss how our SBE status may bring added advantages.

Please reach out to schedule a conversation with our Estimation Team at your convenience.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to the new opportunities this certification will create for us and for you.

Communication Concepts understands the challenges our customers face when manufacturers do not have a strategic game plan to counteract tariff increases. Communication Concepts partners with manufacturers who seek out alternative measures to deal with difficult market influences.

That is why Communication Concepts is proud to be aligned with CareHawk and Hanwha, two manufacturers that have increased efficiencies within their business plans to offset price increases due to tariffs, and remain committed to holding existing prices without increases.

Thank you for allowing Communication Concepts to support your efforts in providing life safety systems for your campuses and facilities.

A key challenge for safety, technology, and facility managers during active shooter situations or other emergencies is addressing the two immediate concerns on everyone’s mind:

“Am I safe?”

and

“What do I do next?”

Silent panic alert technology helps respond to these concerns by instantly notifying law enforcement, school resource officers, and emergency responders. This is done through strategically placed emergency call points across school campuses that trigger alerts via multiple communication channels, ensuring rapid and coordinated response.

The core function of silent panic alert technology is to quickly and discreetly convey critical information without causing mass panic. This capability allows for timely intervention and provides clarity during chaotic situations. The technology serves not only to protect students and staff but also to streamline communication among school personnel, emergency responders, and public safety agencies.

Our solution, One-Touch 911, integrates and enhances a school’s existing safety systems into a unified platform. This customizable and cost-effective approach minimizes the number of decisions staff must make during an emergency, reducing the likelihood of human error. By merging communication, security, and safety systems into a single interface, One-Touch 911 improves emergency preparedness and response, offering a more efficient and coordinated method to handle crisis situations.

Press Mushroom Button for “Lockdown”	Press Hidden Duress Button for “Alert”	Press Mobile App Button for “Lockdown”	Press Mobile App Button for “Alert”	Dial Code on VoIP Phone for Alert	Press Wireless Pendant Button for “Alert”	Actions
✔		✔				Notify Police Dispatch (lockdown situation)
	✔		✔	✔	✔	Notify Police Dispatch (alert situation)
✔		✔				Activate Access Control System (lockdown doors)
	✔		✔	✔	✔	Activate Access Control System (alert doors)
✔		✔				Activate Public Address (lockdown message)
	✔		✔			Activate Public Address (alert message)
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Send Emails to Safety/Security and District-Level Admin Staff
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Send Text Messages to Safety/Security and District-Level Admin Staff
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Send Emails to Local School Admin Staff
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Send Emails to Local School Faculty
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Send text Messages to Local School Faculty
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Activate Video Surveillance Function
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Activate Emergency Strobes/Beacons
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Activate Video Signage
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	Send Alert to 2-Way Radio Base Station

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, Texas lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott announced on June 28th that they would be transferring $105 million in the state school funds to go specifically toward school security and mental health initiatives. The focus of state leaders is hardening schools and concentrating on mental wellness to help prevent future tragedies.

Gov. Abbott stated, “The state of Texas is acting swiftly to ensure our schools are secure and that children, teachers, and families across Texas have the support and resources they need to be safe as we work to prevent future tragedies like the heinous crime committed in Uvalde.”

According to The Dallas Morning News, the total includes:

$5 million for the mental health authority that oversees Uvalde and the surrounding area. The remaining $100.5 million will be allocated as follows:

$50 million for bulletproof shields

$17.1 million to buy silent panic alert technology for schools

$7 million for Texas State University’s active-shooter training program, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)

$7 million for Texas State’s Texas School Safety Center to conduct on-site safety audits at schools

$5.8 million for the state’s mental health telemedicine program, Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine

$5 million for the Department of Public Safety to expand regional multi-agency police intelligence centers, known as fusion centers

$4.7 million to the Health and Human Services Commission for broad-based therapy and community treatment programs for at-risk youth

$3 million to cover travel expenses for Texas police officers who go through the training

$950,000 for Health and Human Services-coordinated specialty care teams that provide rapid help to youth experiencing a first episode of psychosis

This budget allocation is being pulled from the Texas Education Agency’s Foundation School Program, which currently has a surplus of $1.1 billion, according to the TEA.

The category of “silent panic alert technology” is somewhat broad but includes devices such as wearables, lanyards, badges, and Singlewire’s InformaCast Fusion mobile app.

For more information on how you can utilize your campus’s existing silent panic alert technology, please allow one of our experts to get in touch with you.

This Monday, May 30th, Communication Concepts’ office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

On this national holiday, we honor the men and women in the armed forces who have given their lives serving their country. This has been an important tradition going back to the independence of the thirteen colonies in which our Founders penned in the Declaration, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

Many Americans do not know the origin of the holiday of Memorial Day.

It was originally called “Decoration Day”, and was first celebrated by grieving women in Columbus, Georgia in 1866 after the end of the Civil War. They decorated the graves of perished soldiers to honor their sacrifice. Soon after that, the practice spread throughout the southern states as well as in parts of the north. Two years later, it was eventually adopted by the United States, and the first national celebration took place at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30th to honor all US soldiers throughout the union.

In 1971, the holiday’s date was officially changed to the last Monday in the month of May. And in observance of the solemn occasion, each year a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as well as an American flag on every service member’s grave.

All American flags are to be raised at sunrise, then immediately lowered to half-staff until noon.

We remember and thank all those who have served and sacrificed for this great country.

The US Department of Justice is offering up to a total of $53,000,000 in grants for School Violence Prevention.

This School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) grant is offering a ceiling grant of up to $500,000 per recipient and requires a 25% match in local cash contributions. Its purpose is to support efforts to improve K-12 schools in the following:

Acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification to law enforcement during an emergency
Placement and use of video surveillance, mass communication technology, public address systems, access control systems, intrusion detection, and other deterrent measures
Coordination with local law enforcement
Training for law enforcement officers to prevent school violence

— ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY June 14, 2022! —

If your school district is located in the greater DFW metroplex, click here to reach a Communication Concepts consultant to help expedite the grant process and secure funding.

More Program Details
The goal of the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is to improve security at schools and on school grounds through the implementation of evidence-based school safety programs and technology. SVPP awards will contribute to this goal by funding projects which include funding of civilian personnel to serve as coordinators with local law enforcement, training for local law enforcement officers, purchase and installation of certain allowable equipment and technology, and other measures to significantly improve school security. Anticipated outcomes of SVPP awards include: improved information sharing with local law enforcement; increased interaction and improved communications between law enforcement and school officials; reduced notification times to law enforcement; improved response time to threats and events; accurate identification of danger (without resort to discriminatory stereotypes or violating privacy) and follow-up; increased knowledge of and use of community policing principles; and increased school safety and sustainability planning efforts. For the purposes of this program, a school is defined as an elementary or secondary school, including a Bureau-funded school (as defined in section 2021 of title 25).

As a condition of funding, if awarded, recipients must conduct comprehensive school safety assessments during the grant award period for all schools involved in the project. These assessments must inform the measures necessary to improve school safety and ensure a safe and positive learning environment for students. See Federal Award Administration Section for more information.

Applicants must ensure that the project being proposed meets the purposes of COPS Office funding under this statute (see Statutory Authority). The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program (OJJDP) also provide grants under STOP Act funding. Those programs fund different purpose areas and project types from COPS funding.

The following school safety measures are considered out of scope for the COPS SVPP program, but may be eligible for funding under the BJA STOP School Violence program solicitation, https://bja.ojp.gov/program/stop-school-violence-program/overview, or the OJJDP FY 2022 Enhancing School Capacity to Address Youth Violence solicitation, https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/

Train school personnel and educate students on preventing student violence against others and themselves.
Develop and operate technology solutions, such as anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and internet websites.
Develop and operate:
- School threat assessment and intervention teams that may include coordination with law enforcement agencies and school personnel
- Specialized training for school officials in responding to mental health crises
Support any other measure that, in the determination of the BJA Director, may provide a significant improvement in training, threat assessments and reporting, and violence prevention.

The COPS Office is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

This is a competitive, discretionary program.

Visit grants.gov for all grant details and to directly apply.

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

— Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

Today, we give thanks to all the individuals who have served our great country and continue to do so. And in particular, we want to thank the several Team Members here at Communication Concepts who have served.

And with that, we want to share a brief origin of how we have come to celebrate Veterans Day. There is a specific reason that November 11th was chosen to honor our veterans, but few Americans know or remember why. It was an extension of Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I. The Armistice took effect on November 11, 1918. Some may only recall the saying that hostilities ended on the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”. However, as Paul Harvey would say, here is the rest of the story, courtesy of the US Department of Veteran Affairs:

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

And now you know… the rest of the story.

High Demand for Panic Button Solutions

When an organization faces a crisis, such as an intruder or active shooter, loud notification methods may have detrimental effects when the goal is to keep people safe. Discreet solutions, such as panic buttons, are in high demand because they can send alerts to a select group of responders without necessarily alerting an entire organization. They also offer a simple, convenient method for sending a mass notification that doesn’t require logging into a specific system to operate.

InformaCast mass notification offers organizations several methods to tie their panic buttons into a larger ecosystem. This provides a well-rounded approach to emergency alerts and offers organizations a quick way to trigger messages. In this blog post, we’ll cover the different configurations and uses for panic buttons with InformaCast.

Panic Buttons Configured for IP Phones

With InformaCast, users can configure panic buttons on IP phones. These buttons can be tied to messages and groups to send alerts when the button is pressed. This makes it an easy and discreet way to call for assistance. The message can even include the location of the phone, and since most organizations already have IP phones, it doesn’t require the installation of any additional equipment.

SIP Panic Buttons

Physical panic buttons using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) can also be connected to InformaCast. These buttons are typically placed in reception areas or under desks to signal that assistance is needed without alerting potential intruders. SIP-enabled panic buttons can be set up to trigger InformaCast broadcasts, and some models come with speakers and are also able to receive InformaCast broadcasts. SIP panic buttons are typically Power over Ethernet, making them easy to deploy.

View our panic button ecosystem partners

M2M Plug-ins

Analog devices can also be used as panic buttons with InformaCast’s M2M (Machine to Machine) feature. Something as simple as a doorbell can be used to trigger mass notifications if it can connect to a contact closure. This requires the purchase of a contact closure to IP gateway from a vendor like Perle or Barix, but multiple buttons can run through that gateway once it is set up.

Learn more about device integration

Wireless Panic Buttons

Some organizations utilize wireless panic buttons, which are small devices personnel keep on them. These buttons are connected to an organization’s wireless internet network, allowing organizations to trigger messages from anywhere within their facilities and does not require someone to be near a wired panic button or phone to send an alert.

Desktop Computer Shortcuts

Using InformaCast organizations can also configure panic button shortcuts on desktop computers. A certain combination of keys can be configured to trigger emergency messages. When a computer is the only device available, this can be a convenient way to get the message out alerting people that there is danger in the area.

Explore additional options for desktop notification

These are the current panic buttons currently available with InformaCast. Singlewire Software is always looking to provide the best user experience for mass notification and regularly reviews new technologies, methods and market demands to expand the capabilities of InformaCast.

Visit our Panic Buttons Page to learn more

Ask the Right Questions, Get the Right Solution

If you’re investing in a new piece of technology, a critical part of the decision-making process is seeing how it works. Whether in-person or virtually, a demo offers valuable insight into what a tool offers and how it can fit in your organization.

The problem is, limited time and lack of preparation can hinder the demo process. Questions can be forgotten or glossed over, which can lead to organizations ending up with a wrong or insufficient solution. When it comes to an emergency notification system, this can be particularly harmful if you implement a tool that doesn’t offer the functions your organization needs to keep people safe.

That’s why we’ve compiled 12 questions every organization needs to ask their vendor during an emergency notification demonstration to make sure the system offers every option to be the best fit for your safety needs.

Download the PDF

Does the system reach on-premises and mobile devices?

Managing multiple systems for the same end goal is a pain, and relying on only one channel to communicate an emergency message rarely does a sufficient job alerting all of your people. When it comes to emergency notification, you want to be able to reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, and that means reaching every available device. A solution that can send alerts to on-premises and mobile devices, and can manage those alerts from the same interface, means you can send more alerts, more quickly, with more consistent messaging than using multiple systems.

Does it broadcast to desk phones, or does it call them?

This distinction may not seem important, but during a crisis, it can make all the difference. Some systems may claim that they can reach your desk phones, but how they reach those devices is important. Calling phones, especially in large organizations, can be seen as an attack, resulting in a denial of service, which means those calls won’t get through. Broadcasting to a desk phone treats the device as a speaker, meaning simultaneous intrusive audio catches people’s attention and is less likely to fail than calling the phone.

Learn more about calling vs. broadcasting

Can you show me how the system does a live-audio broadcast?

Live audio can sometimes be the best way to get people’s attention, especially during an emergency. Pre-recorded messages may be fine to let people know an event is taking place, but being able to communicate messages live helps manage ongoing situations. It’s also important to understand where that audio can be delivered. Desk phones and speakers are a great start, but additional delivery systems like desktop notifications help expand the reach of the message.

How does it handle weather alerts?

Regardless of industry or location, every organization is susceptible to severe weather. This is a basic use case any emergency notification system should be able to address, but how it addresses it can have a major impact on how quickly notifications go out. If a system only lets you pre-build messages for weather events, without a means to automatically trigger, you could waste precious minutes discovering severe weather is approaching before sending out an alert. Systems that offer configurations to actively monitor CAP feeds to trigger alerts when severe weather approaches means people are notified more quickly and can start responding faster.

Can the system be configured for panic button triggers?

Panic buttons are in high demand because they offer a discreet, quick way to ask for assistance. Systems that offer multiple methods for panic button configurations, whether it’s virtual ones established on a desk phone, or integration with physical devices, can make notification as easy as pressing a button. Know what options are available to take advantage of easy alert triggering.

Discover five types of panic buttons for mass notification

How does it compare to other systems?

If you’re looking at other systems, don’t be afraid to ask the vendor how it compares to the competition. They should be able to answer directly, point you to documentation, or show you then and there the difference between their offering and a competitor’s.

Does it work with other systems and devices?

If the answer is no, chances are, this isn’t the right solution for you. Robust notification systems offer a wide range of integrations with devices and systems organizations already have in place like digital signage, IP speakers, desktop computers, fire alarms and more. This has the added benefit of adding additional value to existing technology investments like paging systems. There may not be time to go through every compatible device and system, but be sure to have a few key components top of mind to ask the vendor about during the demo.

What kind of support do you offer?

While you’re likely looking for a simple solution, the bottom line is that no matter how easy a system appears, it may require some help to set up. Understand how support requests are handled, when help is available and what level of support is offered. It may also be beneficial to ask if they have any customer comments that can back up the effectiveness of their support team.

What kind of collaboration options are available?

Sending out an alert is just part of the challenge when an emergency occurs. Managing the situation can be just as important to keep people out of harm’s way. A system that offers collaboration tools like conference calling and confirmation response helps bring key people together to manage potentially dangerous situations.

Are there other customers that have used it this way?

No one wants to be a guinea pig when it comes to testing out new safety features, so it’s important to ask a vendor for examples of other customers using the system in the way you want to use it. It’s easy for a vendor to say “yes” when a potential customer proposes a use case, but having evidence to back it up will help assure you that you are making the right decision.

How quickly can I implement it?

Finding the right solution takes time and money, so you likely don’t want to waste either once you’ve made a decision. This answer will likely vary depending on the size of the implementation, so it’s not something many vendors will advertise. However, by the time the demo takes place, the vendor should have a good idea of the size of your organization and your needs to be able to provide at least a rough estimate for implementation.

How much does it cost?

Depending on where you are at in the decision-making process, you may already have an answer to this question. However, it never hurts to double-check that you and vendor are on the same page. Make sure there aren’t any additional costs you or the vendor may have missed.

Understand the cost of an emergency notification system

Asking these questions during the demo will give you a better idea of how the system will work in your organization, and keeping a record of the answers while conducting demos with different vendors will provide a better comparison between the options your organization is considering.

Download our emergency notification systems buyer’s guide